Hi, I'm Seifer

[seifer_boy]

I do not wanna say my real name because I'm still closeted. If my family knew my secret, I'd be disowned because they hate gay people. Well, it's nice that there is a community I can take part in and be myself (sort of lol) freely. I found soulforce.org through Mel White's book called "Religion Gone Bad." I got this book when I went to the library and was browsing the religion section. Hope I can make some great online friends!

[u-dog]

I do not wanna say my real name because I'm still closeted. If my family knew my secret, I'd be disowned because they hate gay people. Well, it's nice that there is a community I can take part in and be myself (sort of lol) freely. I found soulforce.org through Mel White's book called "Religion Gone Bad." I got this book when I went to the library and was browsing the religion section. Hope I can make some great online friends!

Welcome Seifer!

This a safe and friendly place made up of affirming/caring people from a variety of religions. We talk about sexuality, religion, politics, philosophy and joke around alot into the mix. There are people your age and also folks who are a lot older. We mostly seem to get along. Most of us are glbt but some folks here are st8 allies as well. Whatever it is that you may be going through... chances are somebody here has already been through it and lived so let us know how we can be helpful.

The only rule is no being mean to glbt people or posting the words of others who are mean to glbt people.

Even thought this is a safe, friendly environment continue to use all of your safe internet skills. You never know who might be lurking even here. If you get any Private messages that make you feel uncomfortable let one of the moderators know immediately. (they are keltic68, JamieMcdaniels, and Nathantx)

So... jump in anywhere and let us get to know you.

U-dog

[BruceChris]

Welcome to our space, and a place where we can feel safe to be ourselves. I second everything that u-dog (Dave) has already said, but then where do we go from here? If you read many of our threads and postings, you can learn a lot more about us, and begin to get to meet some really nice people.

(Later): Hey, I've been reading some of your posts, you seem to do a pretty good job of standing up for yourself, and articulating that.

If you live in a small town, most of your resources may be online. There are a number of gay, Christian sites out there, plus many sites that are gay oriented but not religiously based.

www.welcomingresources.org is one, and www.whosoever.org/ is another. Yeah, they are both Christian, but I don't find them to be at all oppressive about it. They are very gay-positive.

If you live in or near a larger city, there are many many resources available to you, once you know how to look for them. There's P-FLAG, Parents, Friends and Family of Lesbians and Gays;

www.pflag.org is the national site, and they can tel you where your nearest group would be.

Can you tell us a little bit more about yourself? (If something feels scary to talk about, please don't bring it up)

We can probably have quite a discussion, here in the intro. forum, and you can always post to any of the other forums, whenever you want.

Well, Peace and Love for now, Bruce Chris

[Zerbie]

Welcome Seifer

You found a terrific place and I'm so glad! :D As internet fora go, this is the kindest safest one I've ever seen - but Dave is right, still be careful because anything you post here can come up on Google or be seen by anyone who bothers to click to read.

We have all ages, stages, religions, and types hanging out here, and we all get along pretty much like a family.

Oh - I think Dave spelled some of the moderators' screennames wrong. Like for instance, I'm sure it's Keltic63, not 68. But anyway, if you stick around, you'll figure all that out just reading the posts.

[Gennee]

Hi Seifer and welcome to Soulforce.

Gennee

:love::wave:

[paul]

Hiya Seifer,

Welcome to SF. You'll find a very kind accepting and provocative group here. As Zerbie noted, part of the coming out process often involves "stages" (I assume that's what she meant). Most here will want you safe, so do be careful, take your time. We will still get to know you even if you use a pseudonym, and that's the important thing...to be known and accepted. You will find that here. Glad you are here.
paul

[antiochian]

Hi and welcome! I'm so sorry that you have to pretend to be someone you're not to appease your family. I did that for so long and hated it. I've been lucky in that most family members have been quite supportive. They don't understand (of course, they've never walked in my shoes!) and they don't necessarily agree that it's ok to be in a same-sex relationship and be Christian, but they are supportive of me personally, which has been important. Well, one sister for a while kept urging me to date women and try to change my sexuality through Exodus International... Like I said, they've never walked in my shoes. I wish they could for just one day.

I'm also sorry that you believe you'll be shunned by your family if they knew. If they uphold true family values, they wouldn't do that. I remember all too well how hard it was to be a closeted gay teenager and young adult. I hope someday when you're on your own and not under the constant eye of parents, etc., that you will be able to explore and find yourself, and come to peace with who you are.

Many people just don't understand gay people, and they never will because they don't put forth the effort to do so. People don't like having to rethink beliefs they've held for years, even a lifetime. Some can be educated and change, some never will. But here you will be accepted and affirmed.

[seifer_boy]

Thanks for all the posts and information. I really enjoyed reading these because they were really helpful.

[Jennifer5]

Welcome!! We're glad to have you here! Stick around, it's a safe and loving place to be! :)